Nepali expats hope for political stability

DUBAI — Nepal may have shed its status as a kingdom with King Gyanendra losing his crown yesterday, paving the way for the Himalayan country to be a democratic republic, however Nepalese expatriates in the UAE welcomed the change albeit with apprehension.
Expats fervently hope that the new government would exhibit democratic credentials and rectify its earlier image. They also yearn to see a more liberal and democratic rule by the government that includes the much-feared Maoists, who had a historic electoral win earlier this year. Many, though, are welcoming the change. They feel a politically stable Nepal is the need of the hour.
Wednesday spelt the end of the 239-year-old monarchy. King Gyanendra, who ascended the throne in 2001 following the killing of his popular brother Birendra and most of the royal family by a drunken crown prince, who later killed himself, has been given 15 days to leave the royal palace.
Loknath Subedi, a marketing executive and a social worker, said, “If the Maoists rule the country liberally and leave their weapons behind, the people of Nepal will be convinced and happy. Even now, the fear of Maoists is still deeply entrenched in the minds of the people. The political instability that has haunted our country may finally go away if the new government is willing to lead and take a soft stand.”
He cautioned that the country’s future hinges on the Maoists’ behaviour and attitude towards the people.
Chandra Prasad Sapkota, vice-president of the Nepalese Business Council and the Middle East coordinator for non-resident Nepalis, observed that the best is to wait and watch. “The people of Nepal have waited very long and they have voted for the communists as they want change. We all want change and something better to happen so that there will be stability in the country. If the Maoists do manage to bring in change, people will be happy or else there will be another revolution,” he said.
Arjun Prasad Dahal, a team leader with an airport services supplier, observed that even though the world has progressed so much, Nepal is one of the few countries to have an active monarchy. However, he is optimistic that the Maoists might shed their fearsome image to take up the responsibility to rule a country.
“I feel democracy is the way forward. People have only seen Maoists murder, loot and extort money. Now that they are in the government and have the power, we are confident they will do something. They have also been living in the jungles for the past 12 years and now is the time for them to prove their worth and I think they will do that,” says Arjun, whose entire family is in Nepal.
Suresh Basyal, financial consultant, noted with relief that the unpopular Gyanendra was leaving. “It is a good thing that an unpopular king is leaving. The real concerns of the people are the lack of electricity, gas, water and huge rates of unemployment. I left the country because of insurgency and unemployment. If political parties act responsibly and are held accountable, things could change,” he said. Basyal noted that the international community should also assist Nepal to be politically stable. (Khaleej Times)